Jersey turned out for a series of chilly St. Patrick's Day parades on Sunday.
Thousands of green, shamrock-wearing revelers braved the bitter cold on Sunday for St. Patrick's Day parades throughout the state.
In some towns, like Asbury Park, the frigid weather didn't seem to affect the turnout too much.
However, at Somerville's 26th annual St. Patrick's Day parade, the crowd was only in the dozens -- unusually small for that event, some participants said.
Denise Sweet, 45, of Bridgewater, who has been to the Somerville parade many times, said the weather was much different than last year, when her son wore shorts.
Nonetheless, those who attended enjoyed the celebration while dressed in layers and holding warm coffee in temperatures that hovered around 30 degrees.
At Asbury Park's 4th annual parade, there was a huge showing, and many said they were unruffled by the bitterness that no doubt stung ears and hands.
"It didn't bother us," said Michelle Yanstick, of Howell, who was wearing a heavy coat, earmuffs, a scarf and gloves.
After the parade, she and her friend, Denise Carilli, also of Howell, were walking their two dogs, Sadie and Scooby, both of whom were robed in warm harnesses and matching lime-green tutus.
"We are properly dressed, and so were the dogs," Yanstick said.
The parade -- which kicked off at 1 p.m. at Ocean and 7th avenues -- featured kilt-wearing bagpipers; stilt walkers; an antique fire engine; and performances by the Uptown String Band of Philadelphia and the Joseph A. Ferko String Band.
The freezing temperatures came just days before what could end up being a massive nor'easter hit New Jersey. Parts of the state are expected to be blanketed by 18 inches of snow.
Amy Robinson, of Neptune, and her two children -- Alex, 8, and Erin, 7, marched in the parade for their first time, and they too were unfazed by the chill.
"Lots of layers," Amy Robinson said. "We had a lot of fun -- it didn't keep us away."
Staff writer Sara Jerde contributed to this report.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.